Trichinosis

Trichinellosis is an roundworm infection that results from eating raw or undercooked pork or wild game. While infection was once very common, it is now rare.

Disease Profile

What it is: Trichinellosis is an roundworm infection that results from eating raw or undercooked pork or wild game.

Transmission: Trichinellosis cannot be spread from person to person. The only way to get it is by eating raw or undercooked meat containing the Trichinella worms.

Symptoms: Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, muscle soreness, pain, and swelling around the eyes. Later symptoms may include thirst, sweating, chills, weakness, general tiredness, and chest pain.

Symptoms may not always appear. Mild cases of trichinellosis may never be diagnosed, and assumed to be the flu or another common illness.

Prevention: The best prevention is to make sure that pork and meat from wild animals are properly cooked. Smoking, salting or drying meat are not reliable methods of preventing the infection. However, freezing the meat for 3 to 4 weeks will kill the organism.

Treatment: Many people with trichinosis have no symptoms and their infection heals on its own.